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Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants AFC Leopards have listed three local players as key transfer targets and hope to sign them ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Derrick Otanga, Musa Masika and Peter Thiong’o are the players Ingwe have set their eyes on and have reportedly held individual talks with them.

Otanga, who was among 12 players to leave Wazito recently, is seen as a promising goal scorer who will be key for the team in the next campaign.

He made his name during the 2018/19 season as he scored 13 goals for the now relegated Sony Sugar.

His exploits for the Sugar Millers saw him land a lucrative deal with Wazito but his season at the club was not as fruitful as expected.

With Wazito struggling for stability and results, Otanga did not find his goal-scoring touch and the exit from the Nairobi club has now made AFC Leopards add him to their wishlist.

Masika is seen as another good option for the striking department and chairman Dan Shikanda has reportedly vowed to ensure he is signed.

Masiak, 19, is currently with Wazito.

Kakamega Homeboyz’ Thiong’o, whose contract Goal understands has ended, is another player the 1998 league champions want to bring on board.

Thiong’o has been one of the outstanding wingers in the KPL and that is why Ingwe have prioritised his signing. He has also reportedly attracted interest from Wazito and AFC Leopards' traditional rivals Gor Mahia.

AFC Leopards are yet to sign any players so far and in a previous interview, Shikanda confirmed they will only acquire three to five experienced players to bolster their relatively young squad.

Midfielder Austin Odhiambo is the only player who has been linked with a move away from AFC Leopards so far although Elvis Rupia’s situation remains largely unresolved.

AFC Leopards lost key players in the middle of last season due to the economic hardships they underwent, especially when SportPesa left as a sponsor.

Ismail Diarra, Vincent Habamahoro, Tresor Ndikumana, and captain Soter Kayumba were among the foreigners who left after going for months without pay.

Brian Marita and Whyvonne Isuza are the local players who ditched the club for KPL rivals Tusker and Wazito, respectively.

Casa Mbungo, after steadying the AFC Leopards boat as a coach, also exited in December and left the team under his former assistant coach Anthony Kimani.

The Europa League has been whittled down to 16 teams, with possible paths to the final being mapped out.

Arsenal were a high-profile exit from the last-32 having been beaten in extra-time by Olympiacos, while reigning champions Chelsea are featuring in the Champions League rather than the second-tier competition.

Who are the favourites to win the Europa League?

Manchester United are 7/4 (2.75) favourites with bet365 to win the Europa League for the second time in four years.

The Red Devils previously lifted Europe’s second-tier cup competition in 2017 when they beat Ajax 2-0, the most recent trophy won by one of England’s most famous clubs.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side eased out of Group L and brushed past Austrian side LASK Linz 5-0 in the first leg of their last-16 clash, having already beaten Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate in the last-32.

Inter are 11/2 (6.50) to win the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group and dropping into the competition.

The Italian side placed behind Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in Group F and face a tricky last-16 tie against Getafe, who were chasing a top four finish in La Liga before a run of one win in 12 games.

Bayer Leverkusen represent Germany's best chance at Europa League glory at 13/2 (8.50) after dropping down from the Champions League and comfortably beating Porto in the last 32.

The Bundesliga side won 3-1 at Rangers in the first leg of their last-16 clash and are in good stead as they look to win this tournament for the second time in their history.

Wolves are 8/1 (9.0) to mark their return to European football in impressive style by lifting their first major trophy since 1980.

The Premier League side were runners-up in the first-ever UEFA Cup - as it was then known - in 1972, losing 3-2 to Tottenham on aggregate, and have not taken part in continental competition since 1981.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side came second in a tough group and eased past Espanyol in the last-32 before being drawn against Olympiacos - conquerors of Arsenal - in the next round.

Sevilla are 9/1 (10.0) to maintain their position as the most dominant club in Europa League history by winning it for a sixth time.

As well as three victories under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, the Liga side also claimed the trophy in consecutive seasons under Juande Ramos in 2006 and 2007.

They qualified from Group A after taking 15 points and face Roma in a blockbuster last-16 tie.

Who are the Europa League underdogs?

Getafe have emerged as surprising underdogs at 14/1 (17.0) following impressive campaigns in both La Liga and the Europa League.

Jose Bordalas' men finished eighth in the Spanish top-flight and were runners-up in their Europa League group, with their odds shortening thanks an impressive win over last season's Champions League semi-finalists Ajax.

bet365 offer 14/1 (15.0) that Roma win their maiden Europa League this season.

The Italian capital club previously lost in the final in 1991 when they went down 2-1 to Serie A rivals Inter and struggled past Gent in the round of 32, meaning their tie against Sevilla is likely to prove even tougher.

Shakhtar Donetsk also clock in at 16/1 (17.0) to win their second Europa League, having also lifted the trophy in 2009 when they beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in the final.

Who are the Europa League outsiders?

Basel are available at 25/1 (26.0) with bet365 to win the tournament ahead of their last-16 clash with Istanbul Basaksehir out at 66/1 (67.0).

Olympiacos can also be backed at 66/1 (67.0) after stunning Arsenal in the last 32, while Wolfsburg are also available at 66/1 (67.0).

It is 100/1 (101.0) that Copenhagen win the tournament, and Eintracht Frankfurt are 200/1 (201.0) outsiders after losing 3-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie at home to Basel.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has cracked the whip and meted out punishment on fired Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael.

The 60-year-old Belgian was sacked by the Jangwani Street-based giants a week ago for alleged racist remarks when he compared the country's fans to monkeys in an astonishing tirade.

Eymael made the remarks immediately after Yanga had secured a 1-1 draw against Mtivwa Sugar, which saw the team drop from the second spot in the 20-team league table, by tearing into the club's supporters, whom he claimed were ignorant about football and lambasted the conditions he had been working in since arriving in Tanzania.

"The fans can only shout and are like monkeys who are barking ‘babababa’," Eymael told local journalists in audio obtained by Goal. "These fans do not know anything about soccer.

"This place is not for me, playing in pitches at a level of seventh or eighth division in Europe is not for me. The changing rooms, too, are not for me.

"I am not enjoying your country, you are uneducated people. I don’t have a car, what is that?

"I do not have wifi and I do not have DSTV. No, no, no!"

The TFF has now issued a statement confirming they have decided to ban the coach for two years and also fine him Tsh8million for his uncouth conduct.

“The TFF disciplinary committee has decided to ban coach Luc [Eymael] for two years and also fine him Tsh8million for the racist comments he made towards Yanga fans,” stated the statement by TFF on their social media pages.

During the audio interview, Eymael also announced he was looking to leave the East African giants and depart Tanzania for good.

"My wife is absolutely not enjoying here and this is disgusting to me, I am disgusted,” he continued.

“The only pleasure that I have is the pitches are always full when we are playing, full of our fans, but working in these conditions is not for me.

“I do not want to stay here. I would prefer that they release me let me just do my last game and let me go."

Eymael also proceeded to accuse the referees of bias, claiming that the country's officials were favourable to Yanga's bitter rivals Simba.

“You know, [the] officiating was always against us and [was] only favouring Simba, not giving us even a clear penalty," he complained.

 "Things like that are not for me.

“I said to the sponsor: Do your own things and you cannot be able to win the league because you are not an organised team, you are not an organised club.

“The officiating is always against you because you are a poor club.”

In a recent interview with Goal, Eymael defended himself from the racist allegations, claiming he has never been a racist and never will be.

“I am not a racist, and you know that very well,” Eymael told Goal. “I have coached in Africa for the last ten years and my record is there to speak for itself, I have never gone to the extent of being a racist because I am not a racist.

“I don’t want to dwell on what happened, because it already happened, I apologised immediately to Yanga fans and Tanzanian people because of the comments and now it is time to move on.

“You can see even some players from Yanga are supporting me, even those I worked with in Kenya are behind me, because they know I am not a racist, this issue has been too much for me now, and gone too far, it is even destroying my family and kids.

“I don’t want to talk anything about it anymore.”

Eymael has previously worked in South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Cape Town City midfielder Ayanda Patosi says he was not friends with former coach Benni McCarthy, at first, and admits he didn’t work hard after his arrival at the Citizens.

The Bafana Bafana international is currently on loan with Foolad Khuzestan FC in Iran and reveals he thought the going would be easy for him in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) following his return from KSC Lokeren in Belgium three years ago.

Following their frosty relationship, media reports surfaced that the 27-year-old was not managing his private life in a professional manner whilst some reports suggested weight problems led to him being sidelined by the Bafana legend.

"I was not a friend of his, in the beginning, I didn't work well with him. But before I knew Benni from Belgium, he was an assistant coach in one team when I was playing that side," Patosi told the South African Football Journalists Association.

"So we came together at Cape Town City, I thought PSL would be easy. I didn't work [hard], I didn't give him the confidence for him to say that he has a player he can believe and trust that can win games.

"I was not focused on football, I was starting to hang out with friends, I didn't realize Benni was doing all that to help me become a better player. I didn't understand what Benni wanted to do with me but I began to realize when I sat back and spoke to him and to Mr. John [Comitis]."

‘Pato’ also detailed how he ended up realising he’s not in the Mother City for a holiday, saying that the former Uefa Champions League winner didn’t care about big players, but wanted hard workers in his team.

"I realized he wanted the best out of me in the end and I'm not in Cape Town for holidays,” he added.

“I'm here to work, playing for Cape Town City doesn't mean I'm on holiday, I can't just do what I want and expect to perform well on the field.

"He's a coach who doesn't give s sh*** if you are a star or a big player or something, he treats everyone in the dressing room the same.

"It doesn't matter if you are Ayanda Patosi or Teko Modise or someone - if a young player comes and works hard and puts a hand on coach Benni, he doesn't care.”

Meanwhile, Comitis recently told Goal they are still weighing better offers for the two-time Belgian Cup winner, saying Foolad have tabled a loan offer but the Khayelitsha-born player wants a permanent move.

Premier League outfit Kelantan have been deducted three points for failing to stick to their debt payment plan, announced the Malaysian FA (FAM) on Monday, August 3.

The punishment was handed by the association's First Instance Body (FIB) meeting that was chaired by Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif on the same day.

According to a statement by FAM, the Red Warriors have paid the first and second installments of their wage debts to former players and officials, on January 31 and February 29, 2020 respectively. But they failed to meet the April 30 deadline for the third installment. 

"However, after taking into account the current situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO), the FIB has decided to extend the time until July 30 for FA to settle the outstanding salary arrears and allowances of officers and players.

"Nevertheless, no payments were made by Kelantan until July 30. Kelantan then sent a letter to FAM dated July 30, requesting an extension until the end of the 2020 season.

"In this regard, the FIB has decided to stick to the of July 30 deadline as stated on July 8 and an e-mail reminder dated 27 July 2020 to Kelantan to settle the outstanding salary and allowances of its officers and players.

"FAM will inform the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for the execution of the three-point deduction. The FIB has given Kelantan a deadline until August 31 to settle the outstanding salaries of players and officers in order to meet the club licensing requirements for 2020. If they fail, they will not obtain a license this year to compete in the 2021 Malaysian League," wrote its general-secretary Stuart Ramalingam.

The Red Warriors currently sit in seventh place in the standings, on four points (before deduction) after three matches.

Stuart also provided an update on other Malaysian teams with arrears.

PDRM FA and Melaka United have reportedly kept to their payment plans, while Sarawak only have arrears with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have denied reports they have been forced into panic transfer activities after missing out on winning silverware in the just-concluded season.

The Jangwani Street-based giants have already signed four players – defender Bakari Mwamnyeto from Coastal Union, striker Waziri Junior from Mbao FC, left-back Yassin Mustapha from Polisi Tanzania and midfielder Peter Mauya from Kagera Sugar.

A section of Yanga fans have questioned the criteria the club is using to sign new players since they have not appointed a new coach after they fired Belgian Luc Eymael at the end of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season.

The fans believe the club should have first appointed a new coach, who could reveal the players he wants to be signed for the club ahead of the new season.

Yanga have now come out to defend the signings, insisting the deals they have already accomplished have the blessing from the technical bench, adding their top target is to win the league title next season.

“All the players we have signed already are as per the request from the technical bench, even if Eymael left, we still had a team working under him which still exists and they are the ones involved in this transfer activities,” Hersi Said, Director of GSM Investment, who are Yanga’s main sponsors, told reporters on Monday.

“We are ready to make tangible recruitment of players to create a squad capable to challenge for titles next term. As GSM, we will be fully involved in this exercise.”

Yanga had a disappointing campaign in the last season where they failed to reach the final of the FA Cup after losing to eventual winners and rivals Simba SC, and could only finish a distant second behind their old rivals on the league table.

The Timu ya Wananchi have now been linked a number of foreign-players, including Kenyans Jesse Were and John Makwatta, who play for Zesco United, Sven Yidah of Kariobangi Sharks, Erick Rutanga of Rayon Sports and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A number of coaches including Kenya’s Bernard Mwalala, who also played for the team, have been linked with the vacant role at the club.

Jurgen Klopp's No 2 Pep Lijnders has been backed to eventually become Liverpool's permanent head coach.

Lijnders returned to Liverpool for a second coaching spell in June 2018, and has since helped the club win four major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

The 37-year-old has proven to be the perfect foil for Klopp on the training pitch and in the dugout, with the Reds now a well-rounded team capable of competing for honours at the very highest level.

Lijnders had a frustrating six-month spell in charge of Dutch outfit NEC before making his way back to Anfield, during which he failed to guide the club back into the Eredivisie.

He attempted to implement a philosophy based around high-intensity pressing and quick passing interchanges at Stadion de Goffert, but the players struggled to adapt to the system.

Muslu Nalbantoglu, who worked alongside Lijnders at NEC, has not been surprised to see the Liverpool assistant successfully transfer his ideas to Merseyside, which he admits were far too advanced for the Eerste Divisie side.

"What he had in his mind with the NEC players was not realistic. Of course, if you work with Mohamed Salah and the names of Liverpool, it is easy to do it with those players," Nalbantoglu said of Lijnders on the Blood Red podcast.

"His energy and his trainings were very good. Everybody loved him and still loves him at the club and we have difficult fans - when you lose three times, it is very difficult to stay here at NEC.

"He loves football and you see the passion in the trainings. He can never sit down and he was always standing. There were trainings that we have never seen before. If the players were a better level, maybe he would still be here.

"What he had in his mind was for a higher level than NEC. With better players, you can do what he wants. When Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool, Pep can take over with those players for sure."

Klopp's current contract at Anfield is not due to expire until 2024, and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been touted as the most likely man to inherit the managerial reins when the German moves on.

Michael Beale, Gerrard's assistant at Rangers, has said that although coaching the Reds would be a "dream" role for the ex-England international, he still sees Klopp as the perfect man to lead the club.

"He is the biggest Liverpool fan and at this moment in time, if he had to choose a manager, it would be Jurgen Klopp," Beale told the Liverpool Echo last year.

Haji Manara has again claimed Simba SC are going to score more than 10 goals against Yanga SC despite the signings the former has completed.

Yanga have been the busiest side in the transfer window so far and have brought on board Peter Mauya, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Yassin Mustapha and Waziri Junior.

Mwamnyeto’s signing has been the highlight so far because Simba and Azam FC had also made their intentions of signing the defender known.

“Last season, they [Yanga] signed 24 players and we defeated them by scoring four goals,” Manara told reporters after Simbna won the FA Cup title.

“They have already signed players in the second day of the transfer window but you know what, we are going to give them 10 goals.

“We are going to break the record next season.

“Do you think Simba have not seen players to sign? Players are not signed for the sake of doing it, it is done with recommendations from the experts.

“Yes, they have signed [Bakari] Mwamnyeto but when Simba scored eight goals against Coastal Union, was he not their defender? How do you sign four players even when you do not have a coach? 

“Simba are fighting for the African title, not the Tanzanian league title anymore.”

The spokesperson also explained why he thinks Wekundu wa Msimbazi are above the competition in Tanzania.

“I am never concerned with what happens from other sides. I am a Simba spokesperson and I am always addressing the over 38 million supporters of Simba,” he added.

“From a population of 56 million Tanzanians, we are 38 million of them.

“We are the champions of the league, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. The team [Yanga] you want me to talk about, we defeated them by four goals, and the latest opponent has also been beaten.

“In Tanzania, Simba are only playing because it is what is required from them was it not a requirement, there is no team Simba should be playing against in this country.

“We should be elsewhere in Africa playing with teams equal to Simba. But because Tanzania is our country, we have to play here."

Manara added he is confident their players will scoop all the season-end awards.

“Take Simba to any pitch whether bad or good, we will remain Simba and we are champions. This not pride from our part we have invested a lot of money in football,” he concluded.

“Football requires serious investment, not gossip and empty talk. I can assure you, our players are going to win every season award this time around.

“How can you deny Simba players any award, unless you want to give it to [Gnamien] Yikpe [a Yanga striker].”

Simba completed their season by winning a treble - the Community Shield, FA Cup and league title.

Arsenal cannot allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract saga to mirror those of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, says Martin Keown, with the Gunners urged to make a definitive decision on the future of a striker he thinks is proving to be comparable with Thierry Henry.

The prolific Gabon international proved he belongs in illustrious company when netting the match-winning double in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

His efforts at Wembley, which saw him convert from the penalty spot and net a stunning solo strike, mean that Arsenal will have continental competition in the Europa League next season.

That may be enough to convince Aubameyang that he should stay put, with the offer of a new deal on the table at Emirates Stadium. The 31-year-old frontman is yet to put pen to paper, with the uncertainty surrounding his future doing nobody any favours in north London.

It is not the first time that Arsenal have found themselves in such a situation with expiring contracts becoming an all too familiar theme, and Keown wants the Gunners to act swiftly and decisively on this occasion as they mull over what to do with such a talismanic presence.

“Arsene Wenger was always careful with how he spent money but midway through his final season in charge he agreed to splash out £56 million (€62m/$73m) for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Keown told the Daily Mail. “The 31-year-old has not signed an extension and it is now important that Arsenal resolve his future one way or another this summer.

“They cannot allow another distracting contract saga to crop up, as we saw with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but if Aubameyang does depart, then they will need to replace the goals they are losing.

“He guarantees you 20 a season at least — even when operating as an inside forward from the left wing.

“I've compared Aubameyang to Thierry Henry previously and as someone who shared a dressing room with Arsenal's greatest ever goalscorer, I don't do so lightly.

“Strikers can do special things in training but it's about doing it in the big moments, too. Henry used to do that, and Aubameyang did it against Chelsea.

“Unfortunately, it feels more likely that he is going to go than stay. The clock is ticking on his career so the next contract and club choice is an important one.

“Arsenal won the FA Cup on Saturday because they had the best player on the pitch in Aubameyang. For how much longer they have him, time will tell.”

Aubameyang’s brace against Chelsea means that he has now found the target on 70 occasions in 109 appearances for Arsenal.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has cast doubt over his future at the club despite the successes achieved in the recently concluded Tanzania domestic season.

The Belgian took over from countryman Patrick Aussems who was fired late in 2019 after falling out with the club's management. His successor managed to pick up from where Aussems left and guided the team to two more titles, having won the Community Shield already. 

Having added a league and FA Cup to the list of silverware the club has won recently, eyes are on the Caf Champions League where Wekundu wa Msimbazi are targeting going past the group stage.

However, after Sunday's 2-1 win over Namungo in the FA Cup final, Vandenbroeck cast doubt on his future.

"I don't know with me or without me," Vandenbroeck answered reporters when asked whether he will be with the team for the campaign or not.

"There is no meaning, everyone reads newspapers, everyone listens to rumours even me, so we will see what happens. I will go on holiday in two days with a big smile with whatever happens."

The 40-year-old has also explained the need to ensure the team is united ahead of the next campaign.

"But there is one big challenge, you cannot talk about the Champions League [first]," Vandenbroeck added.

"We first have tours to play. 

"I think the first big challenge is to unify everyone in the club. To unify for the one and the same challenge that is to make this team better.

"If you can do that, you will succeed, if you don't succeed as a club, to unify everyone, it is going to be difficult."

On Sunday, captain John Bocco and Man of the Match Luis Miquissone provided the vital goals that ensured the Dar es Salaam side headed back home as the champions.

After 35 minutes of failed attempts to break an otherwise tight Namungo backline, Simba finally got a hard-fought opener through Miquissone’s strike.

The Mozambican, who has proved to be an undroppable figure for Vandenbroeck, scored an important goal and further showed why his January signing was a masterstroke.

Shomari Kapombe delivered a swinging cross into the penalty box, but Bocco was denied the opportunity to strike as the opponents swarmed around him. However, as Namungo focused on Bocco, the ball fell into Miquissone’s path and the winger slotted home.

Bocco added the second goal four minutes after Miquissone had registered the opener, heading into the net and ensured Simba went into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.  

The journey for success began at the beginning of the season with Aussems when they defeated Azam FC 4-2 in the Community Shield which launched the 2019/20 season.

The second title for the Msimbazi-based side came in the Tanzania Mainland League. Simba went on to finish the season with 88 points after taking 27 wins, seven draws and just four losses.  

Leon Balogun has expressed his delight after helping Rangers secure a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen on his debut appearance on Saturday.

The 32-year-old defender teamed up with the Ibrox Stadium outfit from Championship side Wigan Athletic last month after his contract with the Latics ended.

The centre-back was immediately handed a starting role in the Gers’ first game of the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership season and delivered solid defensive performances.

Balogun shone in his role to help the Gers keep a clean sheet at Pittodrie Stadium, making a number of clearances and accurate passes.  

The former Mainz defender has praised his teammates, especially Connor Goldson, for helping him settle quickly at the club.

"We are happy with the win. Obviously, it was my first game and my welcome to Scottish football and it could hardly have gone any better - and I think any harder as well,” Balogun told the club website.

"I have had similar games before in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and also the Championship - it was very direct but you just have to adapt.

"The second half was maybe not exactly what we wanted the game to be and to look like, but we are happy with the win and the clean sheet as well.

"The lads did a great job in helping me to adjust through the whole week I have trained and it has been fun.

"Obviously, my experience helps a little bit, but he [Goldson] is a great talker on the pitch. He told me before the match if he was too loud, it was just to help me, and I welcome that because I need some time to get used to the mechanisms.”

Balogun collided with the post during the encounter at Pittodrie Stadium but featured throughout the match and has assured he is not suffering from any injury.

"I took some tablets to keep the headache down but I carried on. I don't think I suffered any major concussion or anything which is the most important thing. I got a few headers in after that as well so there is no need to worry," he continued.

The defender also expressed his appreciation to the Rangers fans for the warm welcome he received from upon his arrival, 

"It has been big! When I signed on Friday, everything was a bit hectic so I had to go back to Manchester to get some stuff,” he added.

"But it has been amazing - I slowly start to get an idea of how big the fan culture is. As I said in my first interview, I heard a lot about it, but I think there is nothing like having them with you and behind you and everybody is looking forward to getting them back into the stadium."

Balogun will be expected to make his second appearance for Rangers when they take on St. Mirren in their next league game on August 9.

Antonio Conte wouldn't want Lionel Messi at Inter, according to Paolo Di Canio, who thinks the Barcelona superstar's profile would see him become bigger than the club.

Messi's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation throughout the turbulent 2019-20 campaign. The Argentine only has one year left to run on his current contract and has been strongly linked with a move away from Catalonia in recent months.

Inter has been mooted as a possible next destination for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, but Conte dismissed the notion of a possible transfer after the 2-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday.

Quizzed on a potential move for Messi, the 51-year-old head coach told reporters: "Look, only I know what I had to do to get [Romelu] Lukaku. Trust me, at the end of the season we will make evaluations."

Former Italy international Di Canio says that even if it were possible for Inter to bring in the Barca talisman, Conte would oppose a deal due to the attention that would come with such a huge signing.

"If Inter really decided to go for Messi and had already told him that they will do everything to take him, are you sure that Conte would like Messi at Inter? I say no," the ex-Lazio and Juventus striker told Sky Sports.

"It would mean that we would talk more about Messi than about Inter, as happens with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, or even more."

Conte was also asked to assess his first year at San Siro following his side's final outing of the season, and he took the opportunity to criticise the Inter board for failing to shield him or the players amid intense media scrutiny.

After Inter finished second in Serie A by a single point behind Juventus, the Nerazzurri head coach stated: "Neither my work nor the players' work was acknowledged, I found little protection from the club when making comparisons. If you want to reduce the gap with Juventus you have to be strong on the pitch but above all off it."

Di Canio believes Conte's comments could end up costing him his position, as he added: "Yesterday was something very serious. I don't know why Antonio said those words, but even if he were to stay at Inter, the scar will remain and the difficulties will come out again."

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson admits the 2019-20 campaign has been “one of the most exhausting seasons I’ve ever had”, with the Reds left physically and emotionally drained on the back of their Premier League title triumph.

Jurgen Klopp’s side started out almost 12 months ago with the intention of winning more major honours. They delivered on that front in record-breaking style, with a 30-year wait for English top-flight glory brought to a close.

Liverpool also savoured UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup successes, with the Anfield outfit having got a taste for major silverware.

Their efforts were, however, punctured by a three-month break during the coronavirus pandemic and Alisson admits that everyone on the red half of Merseyside is now looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

The highly-rated goalkeeper told ESPN Brasil: “This was one of the most exhausting seasons I've ever had. I don't know if it was due to the pandemic, the longer season, but it was also one of the seasons I played less games because of injuries.

“We got out of the Champions League early, but I think this exhaustion comes from just giving everything we have every time.

“Klopp has a great portion of that, just telling us what the main objective is.

“We also care about how we are going to get to that objective -- training, just how he manages our training sessions. He trusts us to do what he wants us to do, on not only training sessions, but also a day-to-day basis.

“Our group is certainly very strong. Each player has so much quality individually, and we have at least four players always at the top, the best in the world in their positions, and that makes it a special team, but what really makes a difference is the way we play together.

“We think as one, we all have the same objective, and that is doing everything we can to get those goals, laying it all out mentally and physically.”

Liverpool, along with domestic and global rivals, were unable to relax during the Covid-19 hiatus as they needed to remain in shape ready for the restart.

They will not have long to recharge their batteries as the 2020 Community Shield – which will see the Reds take on FA Cup winners Arsenal – has been pencilled in for August 29 and the new Premier League season is due to start on September 12.

Manchester City versus Real Madrid will be decided by "small details", according to Raphael Varane, who says "the best team on the day will win".

Madrid will travel to Manchester on Friday for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, which is delicately poised after a thrilling reverse fixture at Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane's men took the lead through Isco, only for late Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne goals to give City a famous 2-1 victory in the Spanish capital.

Real have since bounced back from that disappointment to win their first La Liga title since 2017, while Pep Guardiola's men were dethroned by Liverpool in comprehensive fashion in the Premier League.

Zidane has never lost a European knockout tie on aggregate as Madrid head coach, and Varane says the entire squad are motivated to keep that run going at Etihad Stadium.

"We want to win every day, we're Real Madrid," the France international said in a video message posted on the club's social media accounts. "We want to win everything possible and gain more confidence that way.

"We haven't had games to play beforehand, so we have time to prepare ourselves. The best team on the day will win. We'll go into [the game] with hunger to win and the necessary determination."

Varane added on the likelihood of another fiercely competitive contest between two elite teams: "[It will be] a difficult game against a very good team. The first leg was a top-quality game, with pressing from both teams. "It was decided by the small details.

"[Real Madrid and City are] two teams that like to have the ball, are very intense and that require lots of concentration.

"These are the best games in the Champions League - the ones that are decided by very little. They are why we love this competition."

Madrid won three European Cups in a row during Zidane's first spell in charge, and Varane says that experience holds them in good stead to avoid an early exit this time around.

"We know what we've achieved in recent years is something exceptional," he continued. "What we have to do is carry this experience with us and know that the small details make the difference in big games.

"Now, we're a bit more relaxed, but we have the same determination and we know the traps we have to avoid. We have years of experience, but it's hard to win every game, repeat victories and always be at the top."

Christian Pulisic has vowed to be “back in no time” after suffering a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

The United States international opened the scoring at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with another impressive finish added to his ever-growing collection.

He looked to be in again early in the second half, but pulled a muscle as he raced into the box and poked an effort wide of the post as he crumpled to the turf.

Pulisic was clearly in pain before he got his shot away, with it immediately apparent that he was going to be in no position to continue.

With Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro also picking up knocks on a testing afternoon for the Blues, Frank Lampard ultimately saw his side downed by a double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 2-1 reversal represented a disappointing end to the domestic 2019-20 campaign for Chelsea and Pulisic, but there are plenty of positives for them to take from a season that delivered a top-four finish.

They do not have to wait long either before returning to action, and Pulisic is hoping that he will soon be back in contention.

He posted on Instagram when reflecting on the cup final and looking to the future: “Gave it everything we had. Wasn’t our day. Thank you guys for your support I’ll be back in no time”

Lampard, whose side have the second leg of a Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich to take in on August 8, told reporters of the ailments his players picked up against Arsenal.

He said: “I don't know the full extent of the injuries, but I know the hamstrings with Azpi and Christian - they have to be scanned and assessed over the next few days. They clearly won't be fit for next week [against Bayern].”

Chelsea trail that contest 3-0 on aggregate and appear to be in a position to start planning for 2020-21, with the new Premier League season due to get underway on September 12.

Lampard believes that may be too soon after what has been an elongated campaign this time around, with the Blues boss saying: “It’s not ideal if we carry on against Bayern and possibly go further.

“The players need a break; they need to be given a break to play at the level of the quality product that the Premier League is. Worst case scenario, if we don’t go through against Bayern, the 12th seems too early to start playing again.

“The players need a break. That is why we are pulling two hamstrings and having players pull out before this. I would like to think the Premier League will look seriously at that and look at the start for next season. I think we deserve it, as a Premier League club competing in the Champions League.”